Sash-balance



(No Model.)

A INGALLS. SASH BALANCE.

Patent ed Apr. 7, 1891.

wooiwtow MM/knows.

UNrTnn STATES ATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED INGALLS, OF ARCHER CITY, TEXAS.

SASH-BALANCE.

Win WA n SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 450,021, dated April 7, 1891.

Application filed October 29, 1890- Serial No. 369,700. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED INGALLS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Archer City, in the county of Archer and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Sash Balance and Fastener; and I do declare the following to be a full,olear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to combined sash balances and fasteners, and has for its object to simplify the means whereby one sash is made to balance the other and by which either sash may be adjusted without disturbing the other.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing objects the invention consists in the construction and combination of parts hereinafter particularly described andclaimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of the same, and in which Figure 1 is a vertical section, with portion of lower sash broken away, of a window-frame and its sash with my invention applied there- Fig. 2 is a side view of the balance and fastener detached from the sash and having the face-plate of the casing or boxing removed. Fig. 3 is a perspective of the balance and fastener. Fig. i is an end view of the balance, showing the cam end of the bolt in section. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the pawl, showing the cut-away portion, looking from the opposite side to Fig. 2.

In the drawings, the letter A indicates the window-frame provided with the usual upper and lower sash B and C, the balance and fastener being attached to the meeting-rails of the two sashes-as follows: The plate D of the balance and fastener is secured by screws or otherwise to the top of the lower sash O and in such manner that the portion thereof next to the meeting-rail of the adjoining upper sash will lap over onto the bottom rail of said sash, thereby covering the openings between the two sash and preventing the insertion of an instrument to surreptitiously nnfasten the two sashes when locked together. This plate D carries a box or casing E, within which is journaled a shaft F, one end having its bearing in the removable faceplate G of the casing and the other end bearing in the opposite side of the box. This shaft F carries a ratchet H and a friction-wheel I, whose periphery extends above the edge of the ratchet-teeth for the purpose of preventing a brake-lever, de

signed at times to bear against the periphery of the friction-wheel, from touching the ratchet-teeth, which if permitted would soon wear out the teeth and interfere with the prompt and efficient working of the lever and pawl.

The shaft F to one side of the ratchet and friction-wheel serves as a drum for a ribbon inner end of the pawl is illustrated as having one side cut away, so that it will not touch the friction-wheel, but only the ratchet. A brake-lever K is also provided to bear only against the periphery of the friction-wheel. This lever has its inner end pivoted inside of the box or casing and its face next to the periphery of the wheel made concave, as illustrated, while its free end extends through the opening in the end wall of the box, the same as the outer end of the pawl. This lever normally lies under the friction-wheel and out of contact therewith, and the pawl and lever are so arranged relatively to each other that the two may be grasped one by the forefinger and the other by the thumb and the lever thrown against the friction-wheel simultaneously with throwing the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet, so that the friction brake-lever will control the rotation of the ribbons shaft or drum after the disengagement of the pawl with the ratchet.

The ribbon L, which winds around the shaft or drum inside the box or casing, passes through an opening in the top of the box and has its upper end connected to the upper part of the upper sash, as shown in Fig. 1, it passing over a pulleylll, secured to the under side of the head jamb, as illustrated. It will be apparent from the foregoing description that, the two sashes being connected together by the ribbon or band L, if one sash is raised the other will be simultaneously lowered, so that an opening will be formed at both the top and bottom of the window for ventilation. ()n the other hand, if it is desired to lower the top sash without raising the lower sash the pawl is grasped with the forefinger to release it, and'at the same time the brake-lever is pressed by the thumb of the same hand to make it bear against the friction-wheel, so as to permit the upper sash to gradually descend to the extent desired, the ribbon or band of course feeding out to the extent necessary, and when the sash is to be restored to its normal position rotatethe drum forward by means of the thumb-pin N on the disk 0, secured to the drum or shaft carrying the band,so as to wind up the slack in the ribbon or band. If it is desired to raise the lower sash without lowering the upper sash, the shaft carrying the ribbon is to be rotated, so as to wind up the ribbon, which operation will also raise the sash, as will be apparent.

The foregoing description relates to the mechanism for adjusting the two sashes which is claimed herein. To prevent the same from being reached from the outside when the two sashes are in the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings the base-plate D of the casing E is provided with a sliding bolt P, having a flattened end, and lip T, engaging a nose R on the plate S. This, however, is not specifically claimed herein, as other constructions may be used for that purpose, if desired.

The device as a whole forms a very simple and efficient combined sash balance and fastener. 40

I have described with particularity what I consider to be the best constructionof the several parts; but changes can be made in the details without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention and set forth its merits. what I claim is The combination,with the upper and lower sash, of the boxing or casing containing the rotatable shaft, the ratchet, the friction-wheel having its periphery above the teeth of the ratchet, the pawl engaging the ratchet and having its outer end extending through the boxing, the brake-lever having a portion lying within the boxing to bear against the frictionwheel and extended through the boxing, said pawl and lever being arranged to adapt the lever to be thrown against the friction-wheel as the pawl is disengaged from its ratchet, and the band or ribbon connected at one end to said rotatable shaft and at the other end to the upper sash, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED INGALLS. Witnesses:

R. E. TAYLOR, W. E. PICKERING. 

